Mechanical movement device



Nov. 29, 1955 Filed June 6. 1952 F. J. RUSSELL MECHANICAL MOVEMENT DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FRED J. RUSSELL,

INVENTOR. HUEBNE'R, BEEHLE'R,

WORREL 8 HERZ/G,

AT TORNEYS.

Nov. 29, 1955 F. .1. RUSSELL MECHANICAL MOVEMENT DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6. 1952 ATTORNEYS NH R mm U N Rm J m W F HUEBNER, BEEHLE'R, WORREI. 8 HERZ/G;

United tates Patent MECHANICAL MOVEMENT DEVICE Fred J. Russell, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application June 6, 1952, Serial No. 292,166

6 Claims. (Cl. 74-471) manipulation of mechanical devices, expedients frequently resorted to have contemplated for the most part a plurality of levers or pedals so arranged that the operator must necessarily coordinate his hand and his foot in order to have complete and efiective control over the apparatus. Controls of this kind are readily exemplified by the controls ordinarily employed in the manipulation of a motor vehicle. Even when such vehicles have incorporated in them some of the current improvements, they still depend upon the manipulation of a hand lever usually attached to the steering wheel in conjunction with a foot pedal on the floor. This combination is more readily apparent in what has been designated as a conventional shift wherein a foot pedal must be controlled to disengage a clutch while ahand lever must be manipulated to shift the transmission first into a low gear, after which the clutch is engaged, and subsequently to a second and then a high gear between which the foot pedal must be operated to disengage and then re-engage the clutch each time. Although this manipulation can be learned so that the brain and. muscles coordinate effectively once learned, even eiiective coordination cannot always be depended upon inv emergencies.

Other mechanisms employ somewhatsimilar techniques as for example steam shovels, graders, hoists,and the like, except that the number of levers in the last-mentioned devices is in most instances considerably greater'than the a .in. a. selected plane of operation: in. order to impart direct or. reverse operation to separate and unrelated sets of devices under circumstances where manipulation, of one set can be held fixed whil'e the manipulation of another set isenjoyed to the. full extent of its limits.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanical movement" device wherein a plurality of independent movement-elements may be set so as to operate betweenmaximum and minimum limits and where all of the elements can be controlled'so as to too position them between those limits by manipulation of a single manually operated lever. I

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanical movement device which is particularly simple and effective in its structure and operation to the end that the device may be constructed relatively inexpensively without sacrificing the accuracy or dependability of its functioning and which at the same time is sufficiently versatile to be adapted for use with virtually any mechanical control which can be manipulated by a reciprocating movement.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved substantially universal mechanical movement device which is adapted among other things to be employed with mechanisms in the nature of vehicles in such manner that the manipulation of a single hand control can be used to alternately accelerate and brake the vehicle while at the same time the same hand lever can be used to steer the vehicle right orleft regardless of whether or not it may be accelerating,decelerating, or being braked, the device at the same time being so'constructed that by the identical mechanism involved the vehicle can be accelerated or decelerated or braked while being at the same time turned toward the left or toward the right, as the case may be.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device partly broken away to show construction beneath a cover plate.

Figure 2 is. a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the interior operating. mechanism taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, showing the device in neutral position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the device moved in one direction from a neutral position.

In the embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention the mechanical expe'dients have been maintained simple in form somewhat in the nature of a schematic representation wherein somewhat elementary expedients have been depicted. By way of example there is showna hand lever indicated generally by the reference character 10 which includes a knob 11 and a shank 12. A frame 13 is employed to mount the device,.the frame being shown herein as comprising a box-like construction. 14 having a lower flange 15, an upper flange 16, and side walls 17, 18, 19 and'20.

Surrnounting the top wall is a guide plate 21 provided with lugs 22 which enable the guide plate to be secured to the upper flange 16 by means of bolts 23.

In the guide plate is a central aperture 2 4 of sufliciently great perimeter to permit the lever 10 to be moved to the maximum extent of its movement in every direction.

The guide plate 21 is in fact shown as comprehendingan outer sheet 25 and an inner sheet 26 forming between them a space 27. Within the space isa disc 28 having a central aperture 29 within which is fitted a plug 30. For convenience in assembly the shank 12 may be constructed in two parts, namely, an outer part 31 mounting the plug, and an inner part 32 having a recess adapted to receive the plug 30 which may be anchored therein by means of a nut and bolt 33.

As thus described the knob 11 may be moved in any direction. During. movement the disc 28 is free to slide within the space 27 until one wall or another of the disc isfstopped by' engagement of the inside wall of the space Movement of the knob 11 is adapted to manipulate one or another of driven elements 40, 41, 42 and 43 either singly or in combinations of more than one of those elements. The driven elments are indicated as having shafts 44 attached thereto which can be connected to any one of a great variety of controls. Such controls may, for example, be mechanical movements or valve stems of hydraulic valves, electric switch elements, or the like.

For purposes of illustration the mechanical movement device is shown in an arrangement capable of manipulating a vehicle by adjustment of an accelerator to supply power to the engine, by application of a brake to stop the vehicle, and by manipulation of a steering mechanism toward either the right or the left.

The driven element 46) is typical of the driven elements 41, 4-2 and 43 to the extent of having provided thereon a control-engaging arm Stl extending toward the shank 12 and knob 11 at the inner end of which is a cross arm 51. The control-engaging arm may be provided with a slot 52 within which is positioned a stop pin 53 adapted to engage either one end or the other of the slot. The stop pin is shown anchored to the lower flange 15 of the structure 14.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 the driven element 40 is at neutral position, in which position the stop pin 53 is at the upper end of the slot 52 as viewed in those figures. The driven element 40 may be moved upwardly as there shown by pushing the knob 11 and shank 12 upwardly against the cross arm 51 until the control-engaging arm 50 is moved upwardly far enough so that the stop pin 53 engages the opposite end of the slot 52 which there forms a stop.

The driven element 42 is located in the example shown diametrically opposite the driven element 40 and is provided similarly with a control-engaging arm 50' and cross arm 51'. In this example the driven element 42 may be considered as operating a brake between full braking position and released position, the latter being new tral position, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Further, by way of example, the driven element 41 is provided with a control-engaging arm 54 having a cross piece 55 with this control-engaging element being adapted to manipulate a steering mechanism toward the right. Similarly the diametrically opposite driven element 43 provided with a control-engaging arm 54' and cross arm 55' may be considered as manipulating a steering mechanism toward the left. In each case stop pins 53 limit motion of the driven element at the limit of its steering operation by engagement with one end of the slot and limit motion of the driven element to neutral position at the other end of the slot. Conventional means inherent in the respective mechanical parts may be employed for returning the driven elements to,

their neutral position in the absence of specially provided spring returns or similar appropriate means built into the mechanical movement device itself. inasmuch as such return mechanisms are arbitrary and conventional, specific illustration of them has been omitted from the drawings and description in the interest of clarity.

In operation it may be assumed that the knob Illv is initially at neutral position. For present purposes neutral position has been illustrated as a central position with respect to the mechanism, though it will be appreciated that neutral position is a position of function rather than one of a specifically defined location in any mechanical embodiment of the invention.

In neutral position as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 the cross arms 51 and 51 lie against the shank 12 and in that position where they are stopped by the respective stop pins 53, they form what may be described as a channel 60 therebetween within which the shank can be moved transversely in a lateral direction. Similarly cross arms 55 and 55 may be described as forming a channel 61 in a fore and aft position as illustrated in the drawings within which the shank 12 may be moved fore and aft within the limits of its motion.

A simple motion of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 4 wherein the shank 12 has been moved in the direction of the arrow aft or from neutral position downwardly a portion of the limited distance. As there shown the cross arm 51 remains in neutral position where it is stopped by engagement of the pin 53 with the upper end of the slot 52 of the control-en aging arm E li. Obviously the control-engaging arm 51 may be moved as far aft or downwardly as permitted by the position of the pin 53 in the slot 52' of the control-engaging Sit, in which last position the brake manipulated by the driven element 42 may be in full on position.

Assuming, however, that the shaft 1?. has been moved only to the partial braking position illustrated in Figure 4, which movement has permitted the shank 12 to move downwardly within the channel 61, the shank 12 is still within the scope of potential engagement with both the cross arm 55 and the cross arm 55. Clearly, therefore, from this position of Figure 4 the shank may, for example, be moved toward the right. In this event the cross arm 55 will be moved from its neutral position toward the right a distance which may be limited only by contact of the pin 53 with the left-hand end of the slot 52" in the control-engaging arm 54. For practical reasons, however, other limits may be imposed as, for example, by so proportioning the size of the space 27 so that a side wall 62 thereof steps a side wall 63 of the disc 28 by physical contact. Even further limitations may be imposed for certain practical reasons as, for example, by limiting the clearance between the circumference of the aperture 24 and the external circumference of the shank 12. That is to say, it may be undesirable to permit a full steering motion toward the right when the brake is almost on since a sudden full turn under those conditions might be desirable from the point of view of the physical handling of the vehicle. Under other circumstances, however, where the brake may be only applied to a slight extent, a greater degree of steering toward the right might be permissible and such a greater motion of the driven element 41 toward the right would be permitted in the example shown. A permissive movement toward the right is illustrated by the dotted position 12' of the shaft as shown in Figure 4.

From this same partial braking position the shank 12 may be moved from right to left. Initial movement from right to left will release the driven element 41 which will then be permitted to return from a steering adjustment toward the right at 41 to the neutral position illustrated in Figure 4. Continued movement of the shank 12 toward the left will then bring into operation the driven element 43 which can be employed to operate a steering mechanism toward the left.

Let it be assumed for another illustration that the shank 12 has been moved toward the right to the dotted line position 12. In that position the brake will be partially applied and the vehicle will be turning toward the right. If it then becomes desirable to release the brake and provide for forward movement of the vehicle, the shank 12 may be moved straight forwardly, during which movement the brake will be released by moving the shank 12 out of contact with the cross arm 51. Continued movement of the shank 12 forwardly will bring it into engagement with the cross arm 51, thereby starting movement of the control element 40 forwardly which will result in a gradual application of the accelerator mechanism. This will occur while the vehicle continues to be turning toward the right. During movement of the shank 12 anywhere in its fore and aft path, the vehicle may be moved either still further toward the right or turned left at any point by shifting the shank 12 from right to left.

From the foregoing description of the mechanism and operation it will be appreciated that by control of the single nob 1,. he r; .6. h nk-I2 the ehi le. m y be accelerated or braked, turned right or left to any degree and in virtually any operative combination. Al'- though limits are herein described, made available by the stop pins 53 coming into engagement with the ends of the slots 52. to the endthat; a vehicle may not be accelerated at the same time that'it is being braked, other occasions may occur wherein. the cross arms are permitted to follow past the nominal neutral position illustrated and described herein so that, a. combination of control simultaneously by opposite driven elements 40 and 42, for example, or 41 and 43, for example, may be joy und r hose spec al cir umstan A. p di e nd Pos iv me an qa mo ement ev ce s herefore available.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described my invention herein, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mechanical movement device comprising a support, a manual control on the support having an intermediate position and universally movable in a selected plane between maximum and minimum fore and aft limits of movement and between maximum and minimum transverse limits of movement, opposed laterally driven elements located on laterally opposite sides of said control each having transverse movement between minimum and maximum limits, opposed fore and aft driven elements located on fore and aft opposite sides of said control each having fore and aft movement between minimum and maximum limits, means acting between the support and said elements normally biased to urge said elements to positions adjacent said manual control, control-engaging means on the fore and aft driven elements extending throughout the limits of transverse movement of the manual control having potential engagement by said manual control in all positions of transverse movement, said manual control being movable fore and aft in all said positions of transverse movement, and control-engaging means on the laterally driven elements extending throughout the limits of fore and aft movement of the control having potential engagement by said control in all positions of fore and aft movement.

2. A mechanical movement device comprising a support, a manual control mounted on the support having a neutral position and universally movable in all angular directions in a selected plane between maximum and minimum fore and aft limits of movement and between maximum and minimum transverse limits of movement, at least one laterally dn'ven element located laterally of said control having transverse movement between neutral and a maximum limit, at least one fore and aft driven element located on a side fore and aft with respect to movement of said control and having relative fore and aft movement between neutral and a maximum limit, means acting between the support and said elements biased to normally urge said elements to neutral position, control-engaging means on the fore and aft driven elements having means adapted to contain said control therebetween in a fore and aft direction in all angularly displaced locations of said control, and control-engaging means on the laterally driven elements having means adapted to contain the control therebetween in a transverse direction in all angularly displaced locations of said control.

3. A mechanical movement device comprising a support, a manual control mounted on the support having a neutral position and mounted for movement universally in all angular directions in a selected plane between 6 maximumand-minimum fore and aft limits of movement and between maximum and minimum transverse limits of movement, opposed laterally driven elements located on laterally opposite sides of said control each having transverse movement between neutral and a maximum limit and subject to movement by said control at all fore and aft positions of" said control, opposed fore and aft driven elements located on fore and aft opposite sides of said control eachhaving relative fore and aft movement between neutral and a maximum limit and subject to movement by said control at all laterally shifted positions of said control, a control-engaging means on each fore and aft drivenelement extending, throughout the limits of'transverse movement of the control adapted to contain said control therebet'ween in a fore and aft direction,

a control-engaging means on each laterally driven element extending throughout the limits of fore and aft movement of the control adapted to contain the control therebetween in a transverse direction, stops between the support and the respective driven elements adapted to fix the positions of neutral and maximum limits of movement of the respective driven elements, and return means between the support and each said element normally biased in a direction urging the respective element to neutral position.

4. A mechanical movement device comprising a support, a manual control mounted on the support for movement universally in a selected plane between a neutral position and maximum limits in all angular directions, said control having an actuator, opposed laterally driven elements spaced one from another on laterally opposite sides of the actuator, each laterally driven element being mounted for reciprocating movement laterally independent of the other driven element between maximum and minimum limits on one side only of the actuator and having an actuator-engaging means extending over the entire fore and aft range of movement of the actuator for movement by the actuator from any fore and aft position of the actuator, and opposed fore and aft driven elements spaced from one another on opposite fore and aft sides of the actuator, each fore and aft driven element being mounted for movement fore and aft independent of the other fore and aft driven element and of the laterally driven elements and between maximum and minimum limits on one side only of the actuator, said fore and aft driven elements having actuator-engaging means extending over the entire lateral range of movement of the actuator and subject to movement by the actuator from any lateral position of the actuator.

5. A mechanical movement device comprising a support, a manual control mounted on the support for movement universally in a selected plane between a neutral position and maximum limits in all angular directions, said control having a central vertically extending actuator, opposed laterally driven elements spaced one from another on laterally opposite sides of the actuator, each laterally driven element being mounted on the support for movement in a straight line laterally independent of the other driven element between an outer maximum limit and an inner minimum limit on one side only of the actuator, each said element having an actuator-engaging means extending over the entire fore and aft range of movement of the actuator and in direct engagement with the actuator for movement by the actuator from any fore and aft position of said actuator, and opposed fore and aft driven elements spaced from one another on opposite fore and aft sides of the actuator, each fore and aft driven element being mounted for straight line movement fore and aft independent of the other fore and aft driven element and between an outer maximum limit and an inner minimum limit on one side only of the actuator, said fore and aft driven elements having actuator-engaging means extending over the entire lateral range of movement of the actuator and in direct engagement with the actuator and subject to movement by the actuator from any lateral position of said actuator.

6. A mechanical movement device comprising a sup port, a manual control mounted on the support for movement universally in a selected plane between a neutral position and maximum limits in all angular directions, said control having a central actuator, at least one laterally driven element on a laterally opposite side of the actuator, said laterally driven element being mounted for independent movement in a straight line laterally between an outer maximum limit and an inner minimum limit on one side only of the actuator and having an actuator-en gaging means extending over the entire fore and aft range of movement of the actuator and in direct engagement with the actuator for movement by the actuator from any fore and aft position of the actuator, and at least one fore and aft driven element, said fore and aft driven element being mounted for movement fore and aft independent of the laterally driven element and between an outer maximum limit and an inner minimum limit on one side only of the actuator and having an actuator-engaging means extending over the entire lateral range of movement of the actuator and in direct engagement with and subject to movement by the actuator from any lateral position of the actuator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,497,127 Lecarme Feb. 14, 1950 2,608,281 Hewitt Aug. 26, 1952 2,610,520 Snow Sept. 16, 1952 

